Identify wildflower with blue berries?

karenackermannAugust 23, 2006

In the last few weeks while hiking in wooded areas of MA and VT, we have noticed plants with ripe navy blue berries. The leaves resemble labyslipper leaves and the berries(2-4/plant) are on a stem about 6-8 inches above the broad leaves. Any ideas what this plant is?

Not the easiest of plants to grow in cultivation, but can be accomplished. Many years ago I ordered some Clintonia umbellulata from a small family owned native plant nursery in the southern Appalachians (now OOB) and they sent C. borealis by mistake. (both are native in that area). They grew and flowered for a number of years, but never produced any seedlings. Whether they didn't germinate or were carried away by birds and/or rodents, I can't say. One spring, they didn't return and that was the end!
Eb